Waynesfield-Goshen introduces school pride campaign

Former Waynesfield-Goshen principal and current Lima West Middle School principal T.J. Winkler shows his Waynesfield-Goshen pride as part of the “W-G Tiger Proud Challenge” on social media.

Photo courtesy of Facebook.com

Waynesfield-Goshen Superintendent Chris Pfister holds a poster displaying his pride in the school district. The picture was posted on the district’s social media sites as part of its school pride challenge.

Photo courtesy of Facebook.com

Members of the Waynesfield-Goshen High School football and cheerleading teams pose in front of the school as part of the school pride campaign.

Photo courtesy of Facebook.com

WAYNESFIELD — In an effort to increase participation in extracurricular activities and promote school pride, Waynesfield-Goshen schools has launched a social media campaign called the “W-G Tiger Proud Challenge.”

Using the hashtag #WGTigerProud, students, parents, alumni and community members are encouraged to post a short message on social media describing why they are proud of their school district.

The campaign began as a response to the sharp decline in the student athletes signed up to play football this upcoming school year.

Though it began with the football team, Waynesfield-Goshen Superintendent Chris Pfister said the campaign goes beyond athletics.

“The bottom line with this whole initiative is we want our students to take part in as many activities as they can,” Pfister said. “Not everybody is a football player or a cheerleader, and that’s OK. We just want our students to find an interest and become involved in an extracurricular activity so that they expose themselves to new things.”

Pfister said the school pride challenge is especially important for students because those who participate in extracurricular activities are more likely to succeed in life.

“In addition to a solid academic foundation, all the data shows that students will be more well-rounded and will be more successful in life if they follow their interests and participate in extracurricular activities,” he said.

To further encourage students to become involved, the Waynesfield-Goshen school board decided to waive the district’s participation fee for extracurricular activities for this school year. Pfister said this decision breaks down one more potential barrier for students wishing to participate in sports or after-school clubs.

Those wanting to participate in the campaign must first visit the district website at http://j.mp/1Mqj2bI. Participants can click a link on the website to download the #WGTigerProud poster. The poster can also be picked up at the school.

The fill-in-the-blank poster allows current and former students to write in their graduation year, along with a short message describing why they are “Tiger proud.” Those who are not graduates of Waynesfield-Goshen are still encouraged to write a message of pride or encouragement.

People are then asked to post a picture of themselves with the poster on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WGTigerProud. Many current and former students, as well as school officials, have already begun posting their pride photos on the school’s Facebook and Twitter page.

Three participants — one each from the middle/high school, elementary school and alumni/adult group — will be selected at random to received gift cards. The middle/high school and alumni/adult group selected will each receive a $50 Texas Roadhouse gift card. The elementary student selected will receive a $50 Toys’R’Us gift card. Winners will be introduced Aug. 28 at Waynesfield-Goshen’s first football game.

Pfister said the school pride campaign is not just for students and alumni; it’s an entire community effort.

“The whole thing is all about the entire Waynesfield-Goshen community coming together and being proud of their school,” he said. “It’s for the entire community to be helpful and proud of their school district. It’s about trying to build a sense of family.”

Former Waynesfield-Goshen principal and current Lima West Middle School principal T.J. Winkler shows his Waynesfield-Goshen pride as part of the “W-G Tiger Proud Challenge” on social media.

https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2015/07/web1_WgPride3.jpgFormer Waynesfield-Goshen principal and current Lima West Middle School principal T.J. Winkler shows his Waynesfield-Goshen pride as part of the “W-G Tiger Proud Challenge” on social media. Photo courtesy of Facebook.com

Waynesfield-Goshen Superintendent Chris Pfister holds a poster displaying his pride in the school district. The picture was posted on the district’s social media sites as part of its school pride challenge.

https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2015/07/web1_WGPride.jpgWaynesfield-Goshen Superintendent Chris Pfister holds a poster displaying his pride in the school district. The picture was posted on the district’s social media sites as part of its school pride challenge. Photo courtesy of Facebook.com

Members of the Waynesfield-Goshen High School football and cheerleading teams pose in front of the school as part of the school pride campaign.

https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2015/07/web1_WgPride2.jpgMembers of the Waynesfield-Goshen High School football and cheerleading teams pose in front of the school as part of the school pride campaign. Photo courtesy of Facebook.com